davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14
Railroad Building in 1885.

Although so large u portion of the area
OF the United States Is already intersrcted
by lines of railway, each year sees thou
sands of miles of new tracks laid As the
country is developed, branch and connect
ing lines are made necessary, in order thst
every community may have more or lpss
direct railroad communication with tho
outside world. 1t will be many wears VET
before railroad building in this couptrv
ceases to be one of the most important ~
our national industries
During the past year SOLO miles of rail.
way were built in the United States or
the total mileage 1903 miles were built in
the northwestern and southwestern
States, lis miles in the middle western
states, llO2 miles in the southern States.
oo' miles In the Pacific States, 339 miles
IN the middle States. and but 81 miles in
New England. These figures show with
what rapidity the newer portions of our
domain are being opened up OF the diff
lerent States, Kansas leads in the number
OF miles of railroad constructed, with the
remarkable record of 1920 miles Nebraska
comes next, with 137 miles then Dakota.
with o's miles Minnesota with 5S7 miles
ana IeXas, with 543 miles. The aggregate
OF the above four States and one Territory
| represents more than one-half of the total
number Of miles built during the year
A glance at Il railroad map of New big
land Will show that this section of the
country is already 80 well supplied with
railroads that beyond.an occasional branch
or connecting link to perfect the system,
no further construction is needed. But it is
u'lereht with the vast and newly-opened
areas OF the northwestern and southwest
ern States and Territories. Here for MANY
years 10 come is grand field for railway
cohstructlt n, and it is not an extravapant
statement to make, that the total number
Oh miles OF railway in this country will
nave TO be doubled before the resources of
the great West can be fully developed
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The favorable report made by Senator
Edmunds from the committee on foreign
relations, on the bill to incorporate the
Maritime Canal company of Nicaragua, "
has attracted much attention, both in this
country and abroad. Should this com
pany be Incorporated, as it probably will
be, the present difficulties connected with
the management of the canal will be
placed in the most competent hands for
settlement. The company is to be
chartered for the purpose of zen
joying all rights contained in any
canal concession made to them by
Nicaragua or Costa Rica." This, of
course, means a mutual agreement be
tween the United States and Nicaragua
as to the control and management of the
canal under the present treaty obligations
between the two countries
The list of directors of the canal COM
pany, named in the act, is headed by Fred.
erck Billings and comprises the well
known names of Gen. w. b. Franklin,
Admiral Ammen, Shepard Romans and
other capitalists and practical business
men. 1t provides that the tolls for passage
through the canal shall be reasonable, and
not in excess of 81 80 per ton.
The Senate committee strongly urges
the passage of this bill. 1t will place the
canal under definite and responsible con
troll, and will settle the question of juris-
diction between the United States and
NlCaaguan governments Whether the
De LessepS canal succeeds or fails, and
many well informed persons believe it will
never be completed, the Nicaragua canal,
under American control is needed and
We trust that the bill will pass both
Houses of Congress.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

While certain pseudo philanthropists
are advocating more humane method of
capital punishment than the gallows, and
others are demanding the abolition of the
death penalty altogether, the crime of
murder seems to be losing something of
its repulsive aspect in the eyes of he peo-
Pile. Witness the horrible and revolving
series of crimes against human life which
have recently been committed. Maxwell
murders Preller in st. Louis, and
concealing his victims body in a trunk,
ships it to distant city. Mrs. Druse,
with the aiG of two accomplices, murders
her husband and chops his body into
pieces to avoid detection. A Missouri
boy, fifteen years old, deliberately kills
his father, mother and brother In Yer
mont an imported citizen is charged with
crushing the skulls of his infant children
with his fist and a nineteen year-old
boy in the suburbs of Boston
murders a young milkman and cuts
HIS body into pieces. What bar
barrie horrors in the midst of our boast
ed modern civilization Such inhuman
callousness does not seem possible, except
on the suppositon of insanity. Yet it
does not appear that one of these murder
erS was not in full possession of his or her
mental faculties.
The mental and moral state of those
who are capable of committing such
crimes affords a problem in psychology
which no analyst has yet attempted to
solve. But whatever may be said on
the theoretical side of the problem, the
fact can hardly be denied, that most of
the deliberate murders are committed
under II belief on the part of the murderer
that he or she will in some way escape
the extreme sentence Of the law. No
sane man commits murder under Ger
tainty that he.wlll swing for it; and the
way to prevent murders, is to make the
penalty as certain, If not as swift, rs posi-
Bile. The legislature of New York is
brought face to face with this subject,
under a demand that the laws be changed
30 that there shall be no hanging Of female
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14
Federal Aid for Common Schools

bill providing federal aid for COM
mon schools has passed the Senate and ia
now pending in the House. Its fate will
probably be decided within the next two
months The majority of the democratic
hemhers OF the House are understood to
oe opposed TO the bill while a majority
OF the republican congressman are IN fa-
Vor OF 1t. Some of the latter believe
that the appropriations provided for in
the bill are too large, but would be in
favor of the BILL so amended as to reduce
the amounts given to the States. The
Dill, as 1t stands at present, provides that
Tor eight years after its passage there
shall be annually appropriated from the
United States treasury the following
sums: For the first year, $1,000 900 for
the second year, $40, 0OO, 900 for the third
year sl5,OOOOOO the fourth year, $1,000
ooo the NTH year, Sll 900 900 the sixth
year s9OoO,OOO the seventh year s. OOO,-
600 the eighth year, S50OO,0OO. 1t is pro-
Nlded that these sums shall be divided
among and paid out III the several States
and Territories in such proportion AS the
whole number of persons in each who
being of the age of 10 years and over who
cannot read and write, bears to the whole
number of such persons in the United
States ; such computation being made &C
cording the census of 1880
If our government is to adhere to its
custom of making large approximations
annually for the benefit of public inter
ests, it is hard to see why education
should not have strong claim upon Con-
greSs for similar aid. The benefit which
can accrue from the expenditure of mil
lions of dollars in the IMPROVEMENT of our
rivers and harbOrs is not to be compared
with that TO accrue from the mental and
moral Improvement of our future
citizens. Education is still the re
medy for ignorance and the best meth
cd by which to fit our immense aud
constantly increasing population for the
responsibilities of citizenship. Why, then,
should our government be niggardly in its
appropriations for the cause of education
surely, when such vast sums are eXpend-
ed Tor less important ends, q few millions
may well be devoted to the mental and
moral uplifting of the people. 1t would
certainly seem that no better investment
could be made of the surplus in the Uni
ted states treasury than to devote Dor
ton of II to the cause of education
Our State Of Vermont has direct in
terest in this matter, since, unfortunately
and owing largely to imported ignorance.
the amount of illlteracy is very great and
steadily growing within our borders
And the money is to be distributed on the
basis of illiteracy.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

THE WEEKLY FREE PRESS. cents per
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When change of address is desired, both
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Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Since the administration in Ohio
changed from democratic to republican
hands, many of the blunders, and much
of the positive evil which the democrats
committed during their control of the Leg
islature have been rectitied. For instance
the democrats nullied the Dow law and
deprived the public treasury of S2,U00,OOO
income. The republican Legislature has
restored what the democrats destroyed,
and the total receipts this year from liquor
licenses will exceed $1,000, 900. The demo
Gratis so mismanaged the State peniten-
tiary as to make it cost Ohio $4,000 a
year over its earnings and receipts. The
penitentiary under republican control is
now selt-supporting. Democrats as well
as republicans in Ohio perceive that demo
cratic rule does not pay
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Ottawa advices say that a break up in
thelDominion cabinet is imminent With
in the course of a few weeks Hon. John
COstigan, minister of internal revenue, may
be expected to resign and Hon. Mr.. Foster,
minister of fisheries, is in very much the
same boat. The fisheries question has
had a good deal to do with this condition
of affairs and unless the United States
makes some overtures looking toward a
settlement of the fishery dispute, the Can
adan government may go back to the old
license system in vogue some years ago,
under which in place of a constant outlay
of thousands of dollars per year in defend
ing the coasts, there would be a large rev.
enue received.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The New York papers have been de
voting much space for several weeks to
the case of Rev. DR. McGlynn, a popular
Roman Catholic clergyman of that city,
who has been ordered by the archbishop
to report at Rome, 1t is assumed that the
pope has sent for Father McGlynn, to
discipline or admonish him for the active
way in which he supported Mr.. Henry
George for mayor, Several hundred yards
OF editorial have been printed to show
that the Roman Catholic church believes
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14
John Roach.

John Roach was prominent example
of the selt-made man. But he was some
thing more. He was man who achieved
good work for his adopted country. AL
though not born in America, he was MS
true Il patriot and rs devoted an American
rs any of his fellow citizens He came
here poor boy. AT every step of his
long and successful career he displayed
the true spirit of patriotism. From a
hard working employe he became an ex-
tensive, honorable and successful employ
er Of labor. He was distinguished for
honesty, energy and enterprise, and in
comparison with the vast amount of his
risks and enterprises, the fortune he
amassed cannot be called more than fair
return for his energy, business capacity
and enterprise. Throughout his life John
Roach was conspicuously loyal to the gov
ernment He upheld with all his intlu-
ence the party that was truest to the
union Though not distnctively politi-
clan, his influence in political circles was
considerable. BY his devotion to republi-
can principles he incurred the bitter
hatred of the democrats who well nigh
compassed his destruction when their
party came into power.
What John Roach accomplished for his
country WAS Of two-fold value. He gave
car labor and American skill in marine
architecture He gave to his fellow citi-
zens an example of loyalty to principle
and to country, which may we'll be com
mended to all American citizens.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Dominion advces report that the fishing
policy of the Dominion government is n
at all popular in Canada and there
some reason to expect that the proposed
appeal of the ministry to the country will
result in parliament which will repeal
the obnoxious regulations. A goodly
number of the voters of the Dominion
gain their livelihood by trading with the
New England fishermen, and they do not
enjoy the deprivation of their means of
support.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

South Carolina has no divorce laws
upon its statute books, and does not grant
divorce for any cause whatever. OF
course it does not follow that all ill-sorted
couples in that State live together and
make the best of it. They either separate
without process of court, or go to some
other State and get put asunder." A
we'll considered national divorce law, if
such thing is possible would do more
to prevent easy and promiscuous divorce
than anything else.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The Burlington Savings bank is one Of
the three largest savings banks in Yer
mont, In the amount of deposits it is eX-
ceeded by the Vermont Savings banks of
Brattleboro, which has upwards of tUO
millions of deposits, and by the Rutland
Savings bank which has, we believe,
about 100000 more. The surplus and ac-
cumulations Of the Burlington Savings
bank exceed those of any other in the
State except the Vermont and Brattle-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Winter sports are healthful and nvigor
ating, but too often are attended by dau-
gerous recklessness Troy Times.
So far this winter the number of coast
ing accidents has been unusually large,
and in each case the casualty was caused
by carelessness. In Burlington our coast
ers learned care by the experience of last
writer, and no serious accident has oc-
CURED this winter. This good report, we
trust will be maintained to the end of the
season.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Epithelioma, the cancerous disease
which carried off Gen. Grant, seems to be
to remarkable degree the product of
mental worry. 1t developed in Gen.
Grants case, after his reverses set in and
now the same disease is rapidly cu!minat-
ing in the case of Mr.. John Roach, the
shpbuilder, whose health has declined
ever since the nervous prostration caused
by his business ADVERTISEMENTS. 1t is
not likely that Mr.. Roach can live long
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The chapter in History which we print
to-day and the exceedingly Interesting and
important letter embodied in it, now first
given to the public in our columns, will
command the attention of all students of
American history, and especially of all
Nermonters who are at all familiar with
the remarkable early history of our Green
Mountain Commonwealth. For it our
readers are indebted to Hon. f. p. Walton
OF Montpelier, president of the Vermont
Historical Society, and compiler of the
Collections of that society, and through
him to Mr.. b. f. Stevens of London, q
native Nermonter and once resident of
Burlington, to whose immense collection
of copies of American documents and
diplomatic correspondence relating to this
country, we have heretofore repeatedly
alluded. AS our readers know, we concur
with Mr.. Walton and with every student
Of American history in the opinion that
Congress ought to secure this invaluable
mine of historical materials which doubt
less contains many such nuggets AS that
now presented to the public.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

There is, perhaps, too much said of Mr.
Lincoln's madness in connection with his
first love. 1t is held by many worthy per
sons that love is "A disease of the mind, and
if Mr. Lincoln had this disease in form
somewhat more virulent than that which
Where is the lunatic more deaf to reason
than the man in love Indeed. matrimouy
is only sort of insane asylum, with the
difference that the patient is not given his
freedom as soon AZ he is cured.-LOutS-
vile OOurier-JOurnal.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Apropos of the suggestion that railroad
cars can be effectively and safely heated
bysteam pipes, the Springfield Rcpublicun
says: Several OF the Connecticut River
railroad trains leaving this city daily are
now warmed tOa most excellent degree of
comfort by the use of steam from the en-
CINE at low pressure upon the Emerson
system. This is found to be not only
feasible and agreeable as IA mode of heat
ing, but also entirely safe. A rupture of
the pipes would expose no one to scaldiug
or any danger, but would simply fill the
care with washing day vapor. Any &C.
cident which breakH the connection with
the engine of necessity cuts off the flow of
steam" The railroad companies else
where would make money by introducing
this or some similar system. They would
thus induce many to travel by rail in
winter, who are now afraid to trust them
selves to the wholesale broilers trundled
about the country by the railroad com
panies.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The inhumanities practiced upon cattle
shipped by rail to the great beet markets
of the country are brought freshly to view
by a despatch which states that many
cattle on their way to the Chicago market
during the recent cold spell, died in the
cars from cold and starvation. Here
would seem to be a field for the labors of
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The young woman in Connecticut who
eloped with her fathers coachman was
away behind the times. She should have
chosen somebody who had jumped from
the Brooklyn bridge or been through the
rapids of Niagara in barrel.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Senator Edmunds has presented the
memorial of the American Divorce
League, praying Congress toobtain statis-
tics of marriage and divorce. We join
with all friends of the reform in recon-
mending that this petition be granted.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Recently published statistics show that
one out of every thirty of the population
of Great Britain is pauper, in receipt Of
parish relief There are annually 100000
apprehensions in the United Kingdom for
drunkenness and 500 600 drunkards.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Mr.. George Parsons Lathrop has been
enlightening the public on the subject of
journalism. He thinks that if young men
generally knew how hard the work is,
and how many are pressing into the ranks,
they would seek some other field for the
display Of their talents. But in spite of
all that has been said upon the subject by
way of dscouragement, the fact remains
that there is n certain fascination for
young men in journalism, which more
than counterbalances the drawbacks of
the profession. AS for hard work, that is
what energetic young men of the right
stamp like.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

pension appropriation bill never got
through with less friction than the one
which passed the House last week, appro-
priating go 247 600. It is feared, however,
that It will not get past President Cleve'
lands pen
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The tide of war in Europe is held back,
in part by the determined neutrality of
Germany This neutrality is thought to
depend upon the lives of two men, the
Emperor William and Bismarck, both OF
them far advanced in years. If this be
So the peace of Europe hangs by slender
thread.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Later reports leave no doubt of the dis
tress existing in the drought-strcken sec
ton of Texas. In district containing
81, 600 population, there has been an al.
most absolute failure of all crops, 50 that
even seed for next seasons planting is
lacking. The Texas Legislature meets
next week, and Will no doubt take meas
ures for the relief of the suffering.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

The president has sent the nomination
of Mr.. Thomas C. Manning of Louisiana
as minister to Mexico to the Senate Mr.,
Manning's confirmation will probably de
pend upon his demonstration of his con
stitutional ability to resist the effects of
mescal. The Senate may not be willing to
take his word for evidence on this point.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Prof. Graham Bell of Washington has
met with severe loss, in the destruction
of his valuable scientific library by fire
Only few of his manuscripts were res
cued His library WAS among the most
valuable in scientific works of the private
libraries of the country.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

murderers. We trust that the legislators
of the Empire State will not permit pity
for criminals to overshadow pity for their
vict inns
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

Gen. B. F. Butler says that the only
way to avoid railroad accidents which take
human life would be to hang director
every time an accident occurred. Gen.
Butler is something of a railroad lawyer,
perhaps he would accept the office of rail
road eXecutiOner.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14

We score one more credit mark for the
first lady of the land. She takes OIL her
hat at the theatre.